Head of Finance

hays-gcj-v4-pd-online; United Kingdom; Remote; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading regulator is seeking a Head of Finance who will be pivotal in shaping financial strategy and governance. This role involves financial leadership, budgeting, and transforming financial practices to align with the organisation's objectives. The successful candidate will have a strong accounting background and experience in public sector financial management.

Benefits

Civil Service Pension scheme

25 days annual leave increasing to 30 after 5 years

Qualifications

• Qualified accountant with experience in government or regulatory bodies.
• Familiarity with Home Office financial systems and procurement regulations.
• Strong understanding of public sector funding models.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement financial strategy aligned with the Corporate Plan.
• Manage budget, compliance with financial standards, and reporting requirements.
• Lead procurement and contract management in public sector context.

Skills

Financial leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Communication

Education

Qualified accountant (CIMA, ACCA, CIPFA, ACA)

Job description

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• Organisation: Immigration Advice Authority (IAA)
• Working environment: Remote, with occasional travel.
• Working hours: 36 hours per week
• Annual leave: 25 days per annum. Increasing to 30 days after 5 years of continuous employment.

Job title: Head of Finance

Grade: 7

Organisation: Immigration Advice Authority (IAA)

Working environment: Remote, with occasional travel.

Working hours: 36 hours per week

Annual leave: 25 days per annum. Increasing to 30 days after 5 years of continuous employment.

Pension: Civil Service Pension scheme, including employer contribution

Closing date: Wednesday 23rd July

Purpose

As the Finance Lead for the Immigration Advice Authority (IAA), you will play a pivotal role in delivering the financial strategy outlined in the IAA’s Corporate Plan 2025–2027. You will support financial planning, budgeting, reporting, and programme initiatives to assist the IAA’s ambition to be a high-performing, modernised regulator. This includes supporting the development of a new funding model (including leading on fees and charges), enhancing financial governance, and ensuring value for money across all operations.

Key responsibilities

Financial Leadership

• Develop and implement the IAA’s financial strategy aligned with the Corporate Plan
• Advise senior leadership on funding models and provide insight to inform planning.

Budgeting and Financial Management

• Manage the GIA budget, annual accounts, and monthly financial returns.
• Ensure compliance with government financial standards and reporting requirements.

Procurement and Contract Oversight

• Lead procurement and contract management in line with public sector rules.
• Ensure delivery of outcomes and hold suppliers accountable for performance.
• Support ARAC and the Director of Corporate Operations with financial risk, audit, and assurance.
• Contribute to business cases and impact assessments for strategic changes.

Transformation and Continuous Improvement

• Embed best financial practices to support a high-performing culture.
• Collaborate to sustain financial viability across all core functions.

Fees and Charges

• Lead implementation of a new fees and charges model in coordination with stakeholders.
• Develop a cost recovery framework and update processes to support the regime.

Person specification

Essential

• Qualified accountant (CIMA, ACCA, CIPFA, ACA)
• Proven experience in financial leadership roles within government or regulatory bodies. Familiarity with Home Office financial systems and reporting requirements.
• Strong understanding of public sector funding models, procurement regulations, and financial governance.
• Experience supporting organisational transformation and change programmes.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills, including with senior officials and external partners.

Desirable

• Experience in designing and working with cost recovery charging models.
• Experience working in or with arm’s length bodies (ALBs).
• Knowledge of immigration policy and regulatory environments.
• Forensic accounting background to support POCA (Proceeds of Crime Act 2022) activities.

Contact

Hays Recruitment is managing this role on behalf of the Immigration Advice Authority. If you are interested in finding out more about this role, please reach out to Donna at 07843363610 or via email. Reference: #4702991 - Donna Galbraith